May 17, 2013 — NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) has announced that 14 research grants are to be funded in 2013 through the Atlantic sea scallop research set-aside or RSA Program. According to the NEFSC, the combined projects total $12.5 million and will involve more than 20 scallop and research vessels.
In 2000, members of the scallop industry, in partnership with the New England Fishery Management Council, “set-aside” a small portion of the total annual scallop catch to fund research that focuses on the most important needs of the scallop fishery. Since then, about two-percent of the total catch has been removed before harvesting allocations are set each year. Research institutions partner with scallop fishermen and apply for a portion of the set-aside, which is harvested and sold to fund the research project. In recent years, about 570 metric tons or 1.25 million pounds of scallops have been removed for the RSA program, an amount worth approximately $10-12 million annually.
Research set-aside programs are used in several other fisheries in the Northeast, but the scallop program is the largest. Almost 100 scallop-specific research projects have been funded since the program started, generating about $70 million dollars. Examples include projects that have reduced flatfish bycatch, investigated loggerhead sea turtle behavior and explored gear modifications to reduce the impacts of turtle/scallop gear encounters, supported scallop resource surveys to provide timely information to help set harvest levels, as well as identify concentrations of small scallops that require protection until they reach optimal size.
The success of the RSA Program is based on a number of important factors:
– Scallops are a high valued species; a small set-aside can support a substantial amount of research;
– The process includes industry and government participation;
– The Council sets the research priorities with input from scallop scientists and industry to meet current scallop management needs;
– The set-aside catch is sold in the same regional market as the rest of the catch; processors, shoreside facilities and crew still benefit;
– Many academic and state agencies in the region participate, keeping the program competitive; and
– The Council has a specific scallop technical team that is used to review results of RSA projects and integrate findings into the management process.
Most importantly, the cooperation and investment of time and resources among fishermen, scientists, managers and administrators has resulted in positive outcomes for all parties and the long-term viability of this unique program.
For more information visit NOAA Fisheries